I'm not a theology student, but for whatever reason I find the period of time of JI had read this book around ten years ago and decided to re-read it.

I'm not a theology student, but for whatever reason I find the period of time of Jesus' death and the two centuries immediately following very intriguing.

This interest led me to reading several of the books that never made it into the New Testament, which led me to wonder why?

Bart Ehrman's "Lost Christianities: The Battles for Scripture and the Faiths We Never Knew" introduces some answers and explanations to that question.

Ehrman works from the simple principle that history is written by the victors, therefore it is hard to know what the true history was. He points out that "recent" finds such as the Nag Hammadi Library have provided us with additional insights into unaccepted thinking from various early christian groups.

He also looks at accepted Christian thinkers' arguments and extracts that the argument must have been made to oppose one or more of the opposing views, therefore these other groups or sects of these groups must have had these beliefs.

Overall I enjoyed the book as an introduction to some of the early Christian groups, but don't expect to learn to much about any single group. This really outlines at a high-level how 'consensus' was ultimately won and consolidated into what we know today as the New Testament....more

I've read a lot of military history and non-fiction about terrorism and insurgency.

I enjoy reading suspense and literary works.How to review this one?

I've read a lot of military history and non-fiction about terrorism and insurgency.

I enjoy reading suspense and literary works.

I own a GSD and our last dog was a mix lab/GSD.

What struck me most about this book was the very simple fact that I couldn't imagine the level of fear/tension that took place as MWD Sergeant Rex and Mike Dowling, his handler, got out, exposed themselves to the enemy, and sought out IED's that were typically triggered by cell phones.

With landmines, you had to worry about where you stepped, Mike and Rex only had to be close enough and it would all be over.

I really liked learning about how the military role for the K9 was revived in Iraq and how the service people responded to the K9's.

The writing wasn't that great and I felt some of the order of events could have been done better, differently. It wasn't something that I couldn't get over. It was more like having a few conversations with a person on different days, some felt new, some repeated, some a bit out of order, but at the end of the day a good talk is a good talk.

I respect that my GSD is not a working dog, but you can definitely take pride in the breed and the story Mike tells speaks volumes for them.

I really wanted to enjoy this book and love the content, but I found that for a work of non-fiction, I should have had sources annotated in line. WhatI really wanted to enjoy this book and love the content, but I found that for a work of non-fiction, I should have had sources annotated in line. What I got was no foot or end notes and a list of references and notes at the end of the book.

There were many instances when Lester described what could have been or may not have been, but I didn't know if it was romantic speculation or based on reasonably solid sources.

The book read well, but it was never clear what was fact and what was speculation and that is my major drawback with this book.

I consider Matthew Pearl my favorite contemporary author, so when I heard his next work was about the first class of MIT, I could not wait to read itI consider Matthew Pearl my favorite contemporary author, so when I heard his next work was about the first class of MIT, I could not wait to read it (I actually put a purchase request into my library a month or so in advance of publication and they came through for me).

I was not disappointed. At nearly 500 pages, this is not a quick read, nor is it written in the fast-paced style of many fiction suspense novels, so if that is your game, Pearl is not for you.

On the other hand, if you want to visit a period of time that I think many simply can't comprehend, urban post-civil war emerging industrial America, Pearl brings it to life, by pealing away one layer at a time until the rustic grit is as poignant as the lack of simple luxuries we take for granted today.

Couple that with his ability to describe the age through a range of characters from civil war veterans to industrialists to factory workers and women, who faced a range of challenges and you gain a deeper sense of the period, which gives the story depth.

The Technologists is the title and the name taken by a group of MIT's first graduating class, who become determined to save Boston after a pair of bizarre and baffling local disasters, which are truly the definition of terrorism. The term the technologists is selected based on the college's desire to introduce a new form of education, a technical one. This technical education is more science based, as opposed to humanities, and feared by many.

The band of students are challenged on many fronts including one from students and faculty of the established local university, Harvard. Unfortunately for MIT, these are the "least" of their concerns, though not easy to by-pass.

The plot takes many turns and my one fault (ultimately forgiven) was in regard to the period following the third disaster, which I thought let the action lull for too long a period and I wasn't sure if the characters would proceed as they did in light of what had transpired. In the end it worked and I was satisfied with the resolution (though maybe disappointed in a character or two).

Clearly I don't want to spoil the read with this review, so hopefully, I've given enough insight that those who would be interested will get this book and invest the time in savoring it....more

I had picked up "In the Garden of Beasts" at the library this fall and after reading a chapter or so, realized that this was a book that I wanted to hI had picked up "In the Garden of Beasts" at the library this fall and after reading a chapter or so, realized that this was a book that I wanted to have in my collection.

I'd read "The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich" many years ago, and found it to be very factual to the point of clinical. I thought "In the Garden of Beasts" would be a good compliment to show a little more context of the times through the eyes of U.S. Ambassador Dodd's families' perspective. I got it for Christmas and started over at the beginning of this month.

This book tells the story of William Dodd, professor turned first US Ambassador in Hitler's Germany. Dodd, along with his wife, and adult children Martha and Bill Jr., leave Chicago for Germany. Not only are they experiencing a dramatic culture shock, but professionally Dodd is not accepted within the rank of the US diplomatic corps as he was not independently wealthy, let alone a member of their "club".

I found the story to be very intriguing, at times I was concerned that Larson was being a bit 'revisionist', but felt in the end it was based on the impressions and thoughts of the Dodd's based on the records and diaries available.

Overall a good book, but probably needs to be read by someone with an understanding of history at that point in time, in that location, with those individuals....more

I've read all the Cotton Malone novels by Steve Berry and this one was better than the last few, but thought it dragged on a bit too much.

As is the caI've read all the Cotton Malone novels by Steve Berry and this one was better than the last few, but thought it dragged on a bit too much.

As is the case in each, retired agent Cotton Malone is drawn back into service, this time to ultimately recover documents intentionally removed and hidden by President Jackson.

The documents are a part of the Congressional Record which authorized a collective of four men to act in perpetuity as privateers. The group continues to operate into modern times, but the latest President, Daniels, is intent on ending there operations following an attempt on his life.

The story involves competing intelligence agencies, the privateers, private contractors, and a host of double deals.

Reading the first book in the series, I found I liked the fact that the stories are set in medieval times, because it is not what I typically read. IReading the first book in the series, I found I liked the fact that the stories are set in medieval times, because it is not what I typically read. I enjoyed the character and how the story progressed. The lone flaw was that the writing in certain spots didn't work for me.

In book 2, I felt the same way. The pacing was good, there were some nice twists as the story progressed. I was glad to see that there wasn't as much interaction with the local sheriff in this book. And the development of Crispin with his servant in training Jack was good.

All in all pleased with the book, it is an entertaining, quick read....more

Berry's Cotton Malone is drawn from the world of bookselling to help his long-time friend Cassiopeia Vitt, who has been captured and tortured after trBerry's Cotton Malone is drawn from the world of bookselling to help his long-time friend Cassiopeia Vitt, who has been captured and tortured after trying to help her Russian friend whose son was kidnapped in China.

The two are joined by a questionable Russian Viktor, who is a hired gun and has in the past been a questionable character.

Viktor is working with either the Russians, Americans, or Chinese and Malone and Vitt struggle to know if he is helping or trying to get them killed.

In China there is a power struggle taking place as the current head of the Communist party is expected to die within the near future.

Emerging in the struggle is an ancient order, the Ba, who seek to secure power in China and extend China's territory.

To accomplish this, they are using Vitt's Russian friend, who has a theory regarding oil that would change the world power structure.

All-in-all, an action filled read with many twists, an interesting theory on oil, and some interesting history regarding China.The ending resolves things rather well....more

I've read and enjoyed the Cotton Malone books by Steve Berry and The Paris Vendetta wasn't a let down.

As with the others, the story is a quest for a hI've read and enjoyed the Cotton Malone books by Steve Berry and The Paris Vendetta wasn't a let down.

As with the others, the story is a quest for a hidden historical treasure, the twist is that the second main plotline is regarding Henrik Thorvaldsen who has been featured in the series, wanting revenge for his son's murder. The murder brought him together with Cotton, and in this book Cotton must balance his friendship with Henrik and his 'duty' to his country and former job.

It is an interesting tale and quick read. The historical element centers on Napoleon. Seems like a lot of books I've read recently have him as a key figure or character. This one involves a hidden treasure that Napoleon intended for his son.

The story of revenge allows Berry to delve into modern conspiracy theory regarding the ultra-rich, old moneyed, folks of Europe manipulating world markets and basically living above the law.

An enjoyable read with a single loose end, but I'm guessing that was intentional for future books in the series....more

I've read most, but not all of the Nic Costa books by David Hewson and have enjoyed them based on the depth of the characters coupled with the environI've read most, but not all of the Nic Costa books by David Hewson and have enjoyed them based on the depth of the characters coupled with the environments in which they live and work.

Hewon does not write the page-turner that is over in a night. Instead, he infuses his stories with rich detail that is of an old-world pace.

In this one Detective Costa is faced with a grisly murder scene that reveals multiple murders and a potentially historic piece of art by Caravaggio. Shortly after arriving at the scene his pursuit of the murderer leads to the death of Costa's new bride.

From that point forward the police are challenged to confront an elite aristocrat with wealth and connections, who is confident that he is untouchable.

Hewson's books are not for everyone. They tend to be gritty and grisly. They also appeal to me for the bigger questions they address through the tribulations of the characters. This latter point is what slows Hewson's works down, but raises them above most others in the genre....more

I was intrigued to learn about "Vanished Smile: The Mysterious Theft of Mona Lisa" by R.A. Scotti, as I had been unaware that the Mona Lisa had been sI was intrigued to learn about "Vanished Smile: The Mysterious Theft of Mona Lisa" by R.A. Scotti, as I had been unaware that the Mona Lisa had been stolen in the early part of the 1900s.

Scotti starts off in crime novel like fashion setting the stage and going straight to the crime including interviews with the on-duty guard. I thought the middle slowed with a section more on the history of Mona Lisa than the crime.

There is a little twist at the end regarding potential accomplices written years after the crime, but unconfirmed to this day.

This is not a hefty tome in any sense at under 230 pages and it is a fairly quick read. The citations do not interfere and there are only a few footnotes offering additional information.

This was not a bad book, but I felt for lack of a better word it felt superficial. I did not get the sense of their being any depth to the research. On the other hand, if you want to simply learn about the theft of what has become the most iconic work of art in the world, then this is for you, quick and both easy to read and understand....more

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak had been on my to read list for some time and I never got around to it until a Goodreads friend lent me a copy.

I stoppeThe Book Thief by Markus Zusak had been on my to read list for some time and I never got around to it until a Goodreads friend lent me a copy.

I stopped after page two. It surprised me how much I didn't like immediately. The narrator is 'death'. The style is non-traditional/experimental. I simply couldn't stand it.

I had at it again. I decided to give it a go, get past what immediately annoyed me and see how it turned out. In the end, I got past the writing style, found the characters to be interesting, and thought the book was decent.

To summarize nearly 550 pages, the main character is Liesel, a young girl whose mother sends her and her brother to live with another family. On the train ride her brother dies. She arrives to live with Hans and his wife Rosa. They live in a poor neighborhood and Liesel's best friend is Rudy. As the story unfolds, the Nazi's play a greater role in daily life.

The family's life gets further complicated when Hans takes in Max, the son of a man who saved Hans' life in the first world war. Max is Jewish and hiding to keep from being put in a concentration camp. Max and Liesel develop a strong relationship.

The story revolves around Liesel growing up amidst the rise of the Nazi's and the war coming to Germany in the form of air raids.

From the same war, I had read City of Thieves recently and really liked that story much more than this one....more

I debated reading this, but when I saw that Matthew Pearl spoke highly of it on the jacket cover, I decided to pick it up.

If there were half stars, itI debated reading this, but when I saw that Matthew Pearl spoke highly of it on the jacket cover, I decided to pick it up.

If there were half stars, it'd get a 3.5 and I'd have gone with four if I liked the ending better. It was ok, but didn't wow me.

The story is about nearly modern day (story set in 1991) Connie Goodwin, who is tasked by mother Grace to clean out the home of her grandmother, which has been vacant for nearly 20 years. Connie is a doctoral candidate at Harvard and the home is in Marblehead, very near Salem, where the infamous witch trials were held.

Connie can barely find the home as it is over-grown with vegetation. She finds exotic vegetation in what was once a garden, and early on finds a key in a bible with a name on a piece of paper "Deliverance Dane", which sets her on a mission to learn who this woman was.

Connie believes Dane was 'convicted' in the witch trials and more importantly believes she had a 'physick book' or recipe book of potions for healing. Connie's interest is heightened in that if she finds the book it will be the first original source of its kind and would be the basis of her doctoral studies.

Connie's hunt for the book is assisted by Sam, a steeplejacker she met in Marblehead.

The story bounces from Connie's quest to the time of Deliverance Dane. As Connie gets closer to the book, odd occurrences take place and Connie clearly begins to believe in magic.

All-in-all, it was a good read, but not great. It could have had more depth and the ending left me a bit disappointed - I expected more as there was great build up....more

I had wanted to read Katherine Neville's The Eight for some time and didn't mostly because my library didn't have it. I finally got it and really enjoI had wanted to read Katherine Neville's The Eight for some time and didn't mostly because my library didn't have it. I finally got it and really enjoyed the story. Published in 1989, I found it to be much better than many of the suspense, relic/secret, quest books I've read more recently. It had more depth than many of these recent page-turners, though I did get through this relatively quick considering its near 600 page length.

Two tales intertwined by a common quest. One set during the time of the French Revolution featuring nun to be Mireille and the other in the early 1970s with data wiz Catherine. Both are seeking to understand The Game that has been thrust upon them, wherein chess is played with real people as those people seek to reassemble a chess service once owned by Charlemagne that possesses a secret/power.

The woman face similar challenges and situations though 200 years apart and each is consumed by the game as their lives are both constantly at risk.

The ending pulls things together rather well and I'm looking forward to reading the Fire, a sequel written twenty years later....more

Pythagoras' Revenge: A Mathematical Mystery by Arturo Sangalli could have been a much better book than it turned out to be.

The core story, a group ofPythagoras' Revenge: A Mathematical Mystery by Arturo Sangalli could have been a much better book than it turned out to be.

The core story, a group of modern day neo Pythagoreans who call themselves "the Beacon" set up a team to find the reincarnation of Pythagoras. They scour the world for evidence, find a manuscript page that provides clues, and seek the scroll they anticipate will solve their mystery. There is even a clever twist at the end, which I rather liked.

The problems, though are too numerous to overcome. To begin, I had an expectation that math would be needed to solve a mystery of some sort. For the most part it wasn't. Pythagoras and the main character were mathematicians and the screening involved math, but for the most part, the only math in the book came in the form of lectures to the uneducated on topics that were not central to the progression of the story.

At times the book read like a textbook, and at one point, one page referenced by page number an example on another. Not something I'm accustomed to when reading fiction.

The chronology of the book is off as well. I have no problem jumping from the modern day to ancient times, but the modern day accounts were out of order (a chapter on Thorn being reported missing is prior to chapter when he is abducted). This didn't work for me.

For this type of book, it was short in length and this resulted in a lack of depth for too many of the characters. Lots of potential for the story but it came up far too short, which left me glad it wasn't another hundred pages in length.

I read both Santuary and the Last Templar, so when I saw Raymond Khoury had a new thriller I grabbed it off the shelf at the library.

I did finish theI read both Santuary and the Last Templar, so when I saw Raymond Khoury had a new thriller I grabbed it off the shelf at the library.

I did finish the book, but was mostly disappointed throughout. Khoury had a potentially good/compelling suspense novel with some interesting characters - both good and bad, but his compulsion to overwhelm the reader with page after page of discussion on how believers in God are antiquated and screwing up the US and politics got old fast.

The pace would have been better without the lectures interspersed and repeated ad-nauseum by Khoury. I believe the point would have been made better with less written about it and it would have made the book more appealing to more readers as a result.

The book had conspiracy theory, mysticism, and an interesting hero in Matt, former convict out to determine if his brother, who was believed to have died in a helicopter crash, actually survived and was being held hostage for his scientific/programming skills.

There were interesting characters, but a bit more depth and background would have added greatly to the story.

City of Thieves by David Benioff was a can't put down book that I was lucky enough to glimpse on the "new" shelf at the library.

When I saw that it wasCity of Thieves by David Benioff was a can't put down book that I was lucky enough to glimpse on the "new" shelf at the library.

When I saw that it was "Russian" I couldn't resist and picked it up along with The Good Thief, by Hannah Tinti and the third Artemis Fowl book, The Eternity Code (yes my guilty pleasure, but I have a daughter reading them and I started to find out what they were all about).

City of Thieves is really a very Russian, lovely, and sad story brimming with optimism. In the story the author interviews his grandfather, who tells the story, but qualifies to say I don't remember all the details so make up what you must.

It is the story of Lev Beniov of St. Petersburg set during World War II and the German siege of the city. Lev is 17 and without family. His father, a famous poet, had since been taken by police, his mother and sister fled the city for the country. Lev stayed to protect the city.

One evening while on fire patrol (young boys sat on roofs and if bombed were to help put the fire out) he and his friends spot a German parachuting toward them. They track the body, Lev grabs a knife of the man and they share some drink from a flask the soldier had carried. Then, Russian soldiers spot them. The group flees as the penalty for most crimes, including breaking curfew is death. Lev is caught when he helps one of his friends escape.

He is jailed and expects death. He is taken to the Crosses, while there a cell mate arrives, Kolya, a deserter, and Lev thinks the whole night about being executed.

The next morning the two are taken to a Colonel, who offers their release in exchange for a dozen eggs. The eggs are needed to bake a cake for his daughter's wedding. He arms them with a pistol, ration cards, and a letter in addition to Lev's knife.

Kolya and Lev set off on their egg-quest and the adventure is both real and surreal taking them through the city and countryside, with partisan fighters and as German prisoners. They also manage to meet more than a few women along the way.

The quest is good, the setting remarkable, but it is the developing relationship between Kolya and Lev which ultimately kept me reading.

I really enjoyed this book, but if you have a weak stomach, this is not for you. There is a horrific war taking place and the people are prisoners within their city as well as without. Each does seemingly anything and everything to stay alive, for at least another day....more

Ghostwalk by Rebecca Stott is a story about Lydia Brooke, a woman who is asked to complete a nearly finished biography of Isaac Newton, written by theGhostwalk by Rebecca Stott is a story about Lydia Brooke, a woman who is asked to complete a nearly finished biography of Isaac Newton, written by the mother, Elizabeth Vogelsang, of her former lover, Cameron Brown.

Set in Cambridge, the mother and author, is found drowned in a river near her cottage where she has been writing and researching the works of Newton and his ties to the practice and networks of alchemy. Her research reveals three murders in Cambridge at the time of Newton.

She is assisted by Dilys Kite, a medium who helps Elizabeth channel the ghosts of these murdered men to learn more of what happened and by Willow Burroughs/Lily Ridler, a woman who first claims to be a PhD candidate and later is found out to be an animal activist.

Modern day Cambridge is under assault by terroristic animal activists, who leave the name NABED to take credit for their attacks. These attacks are on town butchers, fur sellers, and anyone who conducts research using lab animals, such as Cameron Brown. Brown's family pets are murdered by the group as is his mother's cat. When the terrorists brutally beat his research fellow it appears no one is safe.

And yes, there is a ghost. At least one is apparently continuing the work he began in Newton's time, protecting Newton.

There is even a bit more than this going on, but that would get me into spoiler territory and I try to avoid doing that, but I'm getting close.

The book is written from the point of view of Lydia to Cameron. Cameron, throughout all of their time together and not, is married with a family of his own. The point of view is not 'common' and it took some time for me to get used to.

In the end, I guess I expected more. The terroristic animal activist movement wasn't plausible to me (we kill animals to protect them?) and the 'revelation' of who was behind the group was too easy/cliche.

The 'entanglement' concept Stott broaches was interesting and could have been developed further and been more clearly resolved.

And the big one, I didn't care for the ending from the perspective that the final death, to me was the wrong person. The person who died deserved to die, but it was wrong for the story because that individual did not break the promise made. The promise ought to have resolved the entanglement and while it was a twist, the person who broke it ought to have died, not the 'by-stander'....more

I wasn't certain if I'd like this book, but the subject matter is one of great interest to me (the Russian Revolution) so I gave it a shot.

The RomanovI wasn't certain if I'd like this book, but the subject matter is one of great interest to me (the Russian Revolution) so I gave it a shot.

The Romanov family is well known today mostly through the stories surrounding Rasputin, a mystic monk with alleged healing powers, and Anastasia the lone Romanov family member whose remains were not found in the basement of the house where the Romanov's were killed by the Bolshevicks. This last fact has resulted in many stories about Anastasia's escape, but I recall no stories about other family members surviving and for that reason alone Erickson's decision to focus on Tatiana was refreshing.

This story is historical fiction, set in Russia at the start of the 1900s. The ruling Tsar is Nicholas. His wife Alexandra, four daughters, and son Alexei live at Tsarskoe Selo in St. Petersburg.

The country is a mess. The Russo-Japanese War is lost by the Russians, the German war machine is gearing up, and the people are starving and calling for revolution in the streets of the major cities. As the desperation grows, so too does the danger to royals. Assasignation attempts grow and some extended family are killed by 'bomb-throwers'.

Through Tatiana's voice the reader is shown the world in which royalty lives. You see the family connections throughout the ruling families of Europe and the lavish lifestyle, of which they know no other.

Tatiana, is exposed to the world outside the walls of the palace when a factory fire results in her servants' sibling, Daria arriving at the palace seeking refuge. The bitter Daria challenges Tatiana, and Tatiana accepts. She takes food to the appartment building where Daria lives and is exposed to the extreme poverty the people live in.

As the story continues Tatiana remains dedicated to helping the people and her mother Alexandra slowly loses her mind leaving growing responsibility within the family to Tatiana.

Through Tatiana the reader experiences her growth both from a girl to a woman and as it relates to her understanding of the world around her. She forms strong friendships with several young men who grow into significant figures later in her life.

About two-thirds of the way through the book, Alexander abdicates his thrown and the family is subsequently arrested. When Kerensky's government is overthrown, the royal family is at great risk of being shot. They are transported to Siberia.

In Siberia the family truly learns what it means to be impoverished. It is also where Tania takes the lead role in trying to save her family from what she knows may soon happen - execution.

I thought Erickson did a very good job of portraying the times and family. The manner in which Tania escapes may have been a stretch, but it worked within the context of the story and that is what matters to me....more

I probably enjoyed the Poe Shadow by Matthew Pearl even more than his debut novel, The Dante Club. Pearl has become my favorite new/current writer basI probably enjoyed the Poe Shadow by Matthew Pearl even more than his debut novel, The Dante Club. Pearl has become my favorite new/current writer based on these two books.

In the Poe Shadow, Quentin Clark, a Baltimoreon lawyer, risks everything - his practice, his fiancee, his family estate, his sanity, and even his life - in an attempt to solve the puzzle of what happened to Edgar Poe in his final days in Baltimore.

To do so Quentin begins to research into the death of his beloved author and correspondent, by reading newspaper accounts of his death. As the reader soon learns, Quentin had offered Poe assistance in defending his name and launching his new journal, the Stylus. He also witnessed the pathetic and sad burial of Poe, though then not knowing it was the author being laid to rest.

The research leads Quentin to believe that Poe's famous character Dupin was in fact based on a real person in France. He travels there to find August Duponte and in doing so is confronted by another candidate Baron Dupin, and his wife Bonjour.

All parties return to Baltimore and the two Dupin's seek to find the truth with Quentin aligning himself with Duponte only to wind up spying on Dupin and believing from time to time he may in fact be the right man.

The investigations become more complicated and Quentin fast finds himself losing everything that is dear as he seeks the truth of Poe's death.

In the end it is Quentin himself on trial and his resolve to tell the truth of Poe's murder is put to the final test.

A wonderful read with a nice clean finish. I really enjoyed this book - and will say no more as to not spoil it for others....more

Anne Rice writes a fictional novel Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt about a year in the life of Christ as his family leaves Egypt to return to Nazareth fAnne Rice writes a fictional novel Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt about a year in the life of Christ as his family leaves Egypt to return to Nazareth following the death of Herod. It is during this trip that Jesus begins to understand who he is.

Rice does a nice job of presenting Jesus in relatable terms. She does so by addressing simple concepts - how a parent protects a child, how children interact with one another, and how children perceive the world around them. She does this within the context of presenting the world and times of Christ at this time in his life.

This is the first book of Rice's that I read, so maybe it is not unlike the style of her other works, or maybe it is ground-breaking for her. Either way it was a good read that was thought provoking.

With all the commentary and outrage from certain groups and individuals over Dan Brown's fictional plot including the notion that Christ had a child (I assume I'm not spoiling this for anyone at this point in time), I'm somewhat surprised that there weren't more/any complaints about Rice's depiction of Christ. I myself was uncertain as to whether or not I wanted to read it, but was open about it and glad now that I did....more

Finally finished Tim Willocks, The Religion. This 600 page tome could probably have been reduced by a hundred or so without loss of story or understanFinally finished Tim Willocks, The Religion. This 600 page tome could probably have been reduced by a hundred or so without loss of story or understanding.

Willocks creates memorable and unique characters who are even moreso when coupled with one another. Tannhauser is a man of the world and without country as he has lived in and served the Ottoman Empire as well as the Religion, and himself as a businessman.

To improve his lot in life, he agrees to help a woman find her son who was taken from her at birth. His reward for doing so is an arranged marriage to her that will give him a noble title.

Almost upon agreeing to do so forces are put in motion to stop them.

Tannhauser prepares to go to Malta with his associate Bors, and Carla, the noblewoman, and her friend Amparo.

Tannhauser's falling in love with Amparo further complicates the situation and the Ottoman sieges make it nearly impossible to search far for the boy.

The siege of Malta shows battle from the perspective of both front-lines as well as of that of the citizenry.

The Malta phase ends well with the loose ends neatly tied and the post-Malta update takes care of some other lines that were good to resolve.

Having read other reviews, I have to agree with those who did not care for the romance style writing of certain scenes, but all in all it was a good book. Less pages, less romance writing, and it could have earned another half star or so....more

I quickly finished Descartes' Secret Notebook by Amir Aczel. This non-fiction work follows Descartes' life and explores a secret, encrypted, notebookI quickly finished Descartes' Secret Notebook by Amir Aczel. This non-fiction work follows Descartes' life and explores a secret, encrypted, notebook Descartes kept, why he kept it, and what it included. Living at the time of the Inquisition and hearing of Galileo's "trial" one can imagine why he kept some things secret. The shame is what we as a society may have lost as a result.

I knew of Descarte as a philosopher and was aware of his work in mathematics, but hadn't quite realized how brilliant in so many fields outside philosophy he was.

Aczel does make the story move and most important, he does an excellent job of explaining the significance of Descartes' work in an easy to understand manner.

I enjoyed this book so much I'm sure I'll read many more of Aczel's books which feature the giants of science and mathematics....more

I've read each of Berry's books as they've been released and I've enjoyed them all.

A good, quick, suspense book with a historical quest related to AleI've read each of Berry's books as they've been released and I've enjoyed them all.

A good, quick, suspense book with a historical quest related to Alexander the Great coupled with a scientific conquest - curing HIV.

There were some good twists and double-crosses.

Berry's Cotton Malone,retired agent, now book-seller, is again teamed with Cassiopeia Vitt and billionaire Henrik Thorvaldsen.

They loosely partner with the US Government to learn more about a central asian dictator obsessed with Alexander the Great and supported by a Venetian cabal of business leaders seeking to profit from her revival of the asian nations.

The only books of Rice's that I've read are the two in this series and I've enjoyed them both.

I don't take fiction books as anything other than fictiThe only books of Rice's that I've read are the two in this series and I've enjoyed them both.

I don't take fiction books as anything other than fiction, so Biblical accuracy is not a main concern, but keeping it believable to the reader within the story is.

Rice does a wonderful job of presenting Christ as a man with feeling, understanding, and human qualities. She gets you to think about his challenges on earth, how he lived, what he thought, and the outcomes of some of the decisions he made.

One shouldn't try to learn facts about Jesus, as this is fiction, but one can broaden his/her own thinking about him and his life on earth through Rice's interpretation of him.

The pace of the story was pretty good, though there was a period that I thought dragged a bit. The introduction of John the Baptist leads to the recognition of Jesus as Christ the Lord, and he begins to recruit his apostles in preparation of beginning his ministry.

The real story though is of his relationship with Avigail, a disgrace that befalls her, and Jesus' ability to provide redemption for her. Once redeemed, his path appears clear.

This books pulls together the story of Jesus' final day on earth as a man from all parts of the Bible as well as from scholarly text known then (it waThis books pulls together the story of Jesus' final day on earth as a man from all parts of the Bible as well as from scholarly text known then (it was written in the late 1950s). In doing so, the reader is given a chronological and coherent story with background for better understanding of the times. The latter part of which helped quite a bit in understanding some of the context.

The author specifically notes upfront that he is not going to notate sources throughout as he felt it would pull the reader out, however, I personally would have liked to have gone to some of the source material in certain sections for further reading.

None-the-less this presentation of the day Christ died was well worth reading....more